First time chicken owner at 80!

[Nanakrantz]

Hello!
My grandsons gave me 5 young chickens for my 80th birthday! They will not be laying eggs before July and I have a lotto learn!!! My husband and I raised 4 awesome daughters and have 9 terrific grandchildren! The picture is of the two grandsons putting plastic rings on their legs so we can tell them apart!They seem to be adjusting well to their new home but do not want to go into their coop at night but rather roost on top of the little house that is in their run! Help!?!?

 

[SilverBirds]

Welcome to BYC! Thanks for joining us.

Sometimes they just need to be put to bed for a few nights until they figure it out on their own. Is there a roost in the coop?

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. Thank's for Sharing all the Beautiful picture's. The Best of Luck with your Flock! And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska.

 

[Jenbirdee]

Hi there! Happy 80 birthday! wow! you have some handsome grandchildren there, how sweet they gave you chickens and they are helping with them. Perhaps they can help you for a few evenings to catch the chickens and place them inside the coop on the roost bar/s. after a few days I think they will go in on their own

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

One is never too old for chickens! The birds don't know anything about the coop and sleeping in it at night, you will need to train them. Lure them in before it gets dark, use a fun treat. Get them in and on the roost bar. Eventually they learn. Spending the night outside can be dangerous with predators lurking.

Enjoy this new adventure!

 

[Bronx girls]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC!
When chicks aren't raised in a coop they have to be taught how to use it. Good luck with your chickens.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Help!?!?

It's probably dark in that tiny coop. Unfortunately, it is also way too small for those birds. You're going to have trouble keeping them healthy and happy in such a tiny coop. A lot of newbies end up in your boat so don't feel bad about it. But they do need a larger coop. With lots and lots of ventilation!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome.
I was just about to say the coop/tiny house is part of the problem.
Also...chicken wire isn't predator proof so you may want to think about having those grandsons wrap that wire with some 1/2" hardware cloth soon.